Janine, Abraham Darby was composted several years ago, maybe six or so. If I grow it again, I will buy it directly from David Austin Roses USA or I will try it own root. It's a beautiful thing when it blooms, and is undoubtedly a very good rose in many gardens.

It was planted in a new bed. California coastal soils can have some soil chemistry issues such as high boron content derived from the slow aging of serpentine. However, the successor rose in the same location, the climber Sombreuil, has had no difficulties performing there. I assume my plant was a dud or AD is more sensitive to boron than Sombreuil. In fact, all the yellow and apricot roses I grow have proven very sensitive to soil and water boron levels.